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PLUNGER LIFT
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Application:
Plunger lift is a method of artificial lift for producing high gas liquid ratio wells where liquid loading occurs and restricts the well from producing at its maximum rate. A traveling plunger acts as an interface between the well's fluid and produced gas to prevent liquid fall back. By preventing fluid from accumulating in the well bore, the gas can flow from the formation to the surface at an optimal rate. Common applications for plunger lift are:
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- To prevent liquid loading in gas wells
- To prevent buildup on tubing wall such as paraffin, salt, scale, hydrates
- To lift liquids in high gas oil ratio oil wells
- Increases efficiency of intermittent gas lift wells
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Advantages:
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- Economic and efficient compared to other means of artificial lift
- Low equipment cost
- Low installation cost, usually installed with wireline
- Very fast payout
- Low maintenance cost, occasional replacement of plunger required
- Maximum fluid recovery compared to other means of lift
- No external energy required for most installations (utilizes well's own energy from the reservoir)
- Very effective in wells with low reservoir pressure and high productivity
- Equipment can easily be moved to another well
- Should provide constant and stable production every day
- Improves efficiency of slug recovery in intermittent gas lift to almost 100%
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